August 31, 2012

An Asian Flair with Flowering Flourishes

Hello everyone and welcome to Inspiration in Action! This is Friday night and you know what that means ... another Saturday Sketch Challenge from the Stamping 411 Operators. I have some news to share with you tonight! The 411 Operators have been together for more than 3 years, offering weekly sketch challenges and other inspiration and helps on our blog. This sketch challenge will be our last. We've all decided to move on to different things.

It's been a fun ride and we hope that you've benefited from the weekly inspiration. Don't worry ... the blog will still remain active and you can continue to refer back to the tutorials and previous sketches for inspiration. We just won't be adding anything new after tonight. I know this will be a shock to many of you but the Operators all feel this is the best thing.

We do have one more fun sketch for you however! For my inspiration card, I decided to use one of my favorite techniques ... emboss-resist. I stamped the image from Flowering Flourishes using Versamark Ink and Clear Embossing Powder. After heat setting, I sponged on three different
colors (Cherry Cobbler, Pumpkin Pie and Night of Navy). I just love the way the stamped images appear! I used the Stampin' Up! Color Coach to select the unusual color combination. I really love the way they look together and the card takes on a bit of Asian flair with it's deep colors and delicate blooms!

Other supplies and tools used include the Big Shot, the Oval Accent Bigz Clear Die, the Apothecary Accents Labels Framelets, Antique Brads, Stampin' Dimensionals, sponges, the Heat Tool and just a bit of 1/2" Polka Dot Grosgrain Ribbon. The measurements for this card are pretty straight-forward. You begin with your Card Base of Pumpkin Pie (5.5 x 8.5", scored and folded) and add another layer of whisper White (4 x 5.25") which has the stamping and sponging on it. All the rest are die cuts and embellishments.

And of course, as you know, I love to stamp on the inside of the card. For this card, I used the flourish image and stamped it in two different colors for this wonderful and dramatic effect! Will definitely need to remember to use this technique more often ... isn't it beautiful!

Well, I think that will do it for tonight! Even though I won't be offering you Stamping 411 Challenges anymore, I do hope you'll come back soon. I'll have lots of inspiration for you and maybe even a few surprises along the way! Until then ...

Beautiful card Gretchen. I wish you and all the other team members a well deserved rest. I didn't participate every week but I would check out the sketch. And since I'm following your blog, I'll continue to see all the great designs you post. Good luck.

Hi Gretchen,
I appreciate all that you contributed to Stamping 411, I looked forward to those challenges each week for inspiration. Your work is varied and beautiful. I will continue to check out your blog and wish you the best. Thank you for all that you do. Love your card, I haven't used that technique in a long time, I'll have to give it a try again. thanks.

This is an up to date modern looking card, I will case this for my niece's birthday this month. I love it, the colors are great but mostly those vines that pop out. Gorgeous. Thank you for sharing your creativity.